MLB News Blog

Joe Smith’s effectiveness as a sidearming reliever caught the attention of manager Willie Randolph and general manager Omar Minaya. Selected on a third round of last year’s amateur draft, the 22-year-old right-hander threw a knee-buckling slider past Lastings Milledge for a called third strike in Tuesday’s intrasquad game.
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After toiling in the shadows of his star teammates in Atlanta, Adam LaRoche appears to be enjoying the spotlight with the Pittsburgh Pirates. LaRoche often batted seventh in the Braves’ lineup and was overlooked next to Andruw Jones, Chipper Jones and John Smoltz. But without even playing a game, LaRoche is a star for Pittsburgh.
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Luis Gonzalez learned all he needed to know about new teammate Russell Martin on a Sunday afternoon in Arizona last August. The Diamondbacks and Dodgers had played a total of 24 innings the previous two nights, with Martin doing all the catching for Los Angeles. “I went up to the plate, I said, `Don’t you [...]

Miguel Cabrera homered and top prospect Chris Volstad pitched scoreless ball to help the Florida Marlins beat the University of Miami 12-7 on Tuesday. Volstad started and allowed two doubles but struck out two in 1 2-3 innings. He signed with the Hurricanes out of high school but instead turned pro after the Marlins made [...]

Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland had a lot to be happy with after Tuesday’s 14-0 rout of Florida Southern. Detroit used eight pitchers, many trying to gain a rotation spot, and no one gave up more than one hit. “You have to remember that there is always the chance they will have David Ortiz standing [...]

Colorado Rockies reliever Mike DeJean is preparing to face the Chicago White Sox in the spring opener Wednesday. In his mind, at least. As he continues his arduous journey back from shoulder surgery last summer, all DeJean can do during these exhibition games is go over his potential pitch sequences. “Mentally, I’m there,” DeJean said.
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Florida Marlins officials were unhappy to hear that their manager last year, Joe Girardi, gave rival pitcher Jon Lieber helpful tips during the season. Lieber said his season with the Philadelphia Phillies turned around shortly after he was roughed up by the Marlins last July 31, and he credits a phone call from Girardi, a [...]

Mike Hampton strolled off the mound Tuesday after another baby step in his comeback from elbow surgery. Bobby Cox was waiting eagerly near the first-base line. “Thatta boy, Mike,” the Atlanta Braves’ manager said. “Did it feel good?” “It felt pretty good,” Hampton replied, shrugging his shoulders. That’s the way it’s been for the left-hander, [...]

Kei Igawa was the center of attention even before he threw a pitch Tuesday. About 20 photographers from his homeland lined up behind the plate to record the Japanese left-hander’s first warmup toss before a New York Yankees’ intrasquad game. The quick-working Igawa needed just 19 pitches to cruise through two scoreless innings.
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Derek Jeter drew quite a crowd for this at-bat — President Bush waving in the stands, Mickey Mantle studying from the dugout. Made for a perfect picture on Jeter’s new baseball card. Of course, the game never happened. Instead, this Topps triple play was just someone’s idea of a visual gag. It was a card [...]